Disney Cruise Line expanding, looks to other Atlantic ports

Disney Cruise Line executives are considering expanding the company's East coast service to the Miami or Fort Lauderdale area, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The service got its start out of Port Canaveral in Florida,

but as the cruise line prepares to double its fleet by 2012, it may seek other ports of call for some of its ships. Tom Wolber, Disney Cruise Line's senior vice president of operations, said the ports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale "are obviously other alternatives to be considered." "As we are in negotiations, we look at all the potential opportunities that are out there. And our business model has changed over time," Wolber said. "There are pros and cons to each one." Disney has an exclusive contract with Canaveral that keeps other cruise lines from using its terminal, and has a good relationship with the Port. It is not expected that Disney would discontinue use of the Port altogether. "We think it's one of the best terminals in the world," said Rena Langley, a spokeswoman for Disney Cruise Line, adding, "We're always in discussions with Port Canaveral on how to raise the bar."